[Gllug] local backup solution

[Martin]

Thanks for the reply.

Let's start from the beginning because it seems that my networking 
knowledge has lots of gaps.
At home my setup is as follows:
Virgin media broadband modem is connected to a linksys router. The 
linksys router (192.168.1.1) is the default gateway and DNS server for 
some computers/network drive/network printer. All the devices connected 
to the router have static ip addresses (192.168.1.x) with dns server and 
default gateway being 192.168.1.1.

My problem in that office is that there are two network sockets in the 
walls coming from their routers/switches/godknowswhat. I don't know what 
it is connected to. I set both computers to automatic discovery of 
network (dhcp). However, if I think of any kind of  private network, I'd 
have to assign them static IP addresses. I did it but could not connect 
to each other (ping/ssh, etc) I don't know what is going behind the walls.

1. I know there are different types of routers (virgin media cable 
router vs. a router for BT broadband) I assume they will have something 
based on BT line so what kind of a router would I need? Is the cisco one 
recommended by you good for it? Would it work if I connected it to the 
wall socket and create a private network connecting all the devices to it?


2. SWITCHES - my problem in understanding this is that when it comes to 
routers you've got the default gateway/dns server (in my case at home 
192.168.1.1), but what about switches? You can't do it, so if I connect 
computers/network drives/printers to a switch it's not going to work as 
I'd have to assign gateway on the devices, wouldn't I?

They said thay could set up us with external static ip (some virtual 
network or something) but we don't need it at the moment. Next year 
we'll move the website from a hosting company to the office, but for the 
time being there's no need for any servers going outside.
I haven't spoken to any IT technicians over there yet.

When I asked my friend to speak to them about the availability of static 
IP addresses. They automatically set something up and sent an invoice:
/
//"This is for a network switch that you now have in the comms room. 
This is necessary for networking your broadband in the office, we have 
provided this on the basis that you do not have one, if you would like 
to provide your own one please let me know and I can swap them over."
/
As it was quite expensive and we don't need the ip at the moment, my 
friend cancelled it. That's what he received:

/"Please find attached a credit note for the networking switch.
We will be removing this shortly so you will need to make your own 
arrangements for networking as you will only have one connection in the 
office."
/
After my friend complained that there's only one socket in the wall that 
was connected to the internet. He received the following:

/"We are able to put another connection into the office but you need to 
be aware you still will not have a network in place and therefore will 
not be able to use facilities such as IP addresses, backup or file 
sharing. I am happy to set up another direct connection at no charge but 
think it would be best for you to speak to your IT people first as two 
direct connections and no network my cause you problems in the future.
/
/Please let me know if you would like me to programme another direct 
connection. "

/I'm not sure I understand how their network is organised. I need to 
contact them. The problem is that during the week I  can't go there and 
during the weekend no staff is present.

TIA
regards
martin

On 01/14/2010 12:43 PM, sean wrote:
> Martin wrote:
>    
>> Let's not bicker and argue about who killed who:)
>> Without an additional computer functioning as a server, creating a
>> private network (LAN?) would be difficult, wouldn't it?
>>
>>
>>      
> no. as was said yesterday, by john, give them ip addresses similar to
> 192.168.1.2 and 192.168.1.3, subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. connect with
> a crossover cable, you have a LAN. run servers, run clients, whatever
> you want.
>
> a slightly better solution would be to use straight through cables from
> the machines to a switch, or a hub. you should be able to find someone
> who wants to give away a hub, perhaps ask on this list, or freecycle. as
> the number of machines expands using a switch becomes more attractive.
>
> the next step would be to get an internet connection, add a machine to
> act as a server connected to the switch/hub. the building may provide
> its own internet connection, in which case a cable to the switch/hub
> would connect your LAN. if you are going to use a broadband connection
> then the supplied 'router' will probably have various extras to provide
> a firewall and dhcp, but buying a cisco 837 adsl router from ebay might
> be a better choice.
>
> the 837 is considered obsolete by cisco , so they can be bought for £20
> on ebay. it does lots more than most broadband routers and will allow
> you to connect in 4 workstations, or servers. if you need more
> connections add a switch.
>
> search through the gllug email archives and you will find lots of
> discussions about various servers, plus discussions about what spec
> equipment is required to act as a server.
>
>
>
> regards
>
> sean
>
>    

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.lug.org.uk/pipermail/gllug/attachments/20100114/41ee6d91/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
-- 
Gllug mailing list  -  Gllug at gllug.org.uk
http://lists.gllug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/gllug